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The Swiss Society of Latin American Studies (SSLAS) and the Ibero-American Studies at the University of Bern host a workshop on 2–3 October 2025 at the University of Bern to explore the future of higher education in Latin America and its relevance within global academic debates. It will critically examine the role of universities as agents of social transformation, taking into account their historical legacies, contemporary innovations, and emerging challenges. Drawing on pedagogies, theories, and key concepts from the region, participants will reflect on how Latin American institutions foster civic engagement, address epistemic injustices, and integrate diverse systems of knowledge. The workshop will also consider threats to academic freedom, state interventions, and restrictive policies under different political regimes, as well as the potential of transnational collaborations. Furthermore, it will ask what European universities might learn from the innovative approaches developed in Latin America. Bringing together diverse disciplinary perspectives, the event aims to promote equitable partnerships and alternative academic models that transcend the traditional North-South hierarchies.

Venue: University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, Room 220

Program available here